At missile test, Kim Jong Un publicly reveals daughter for first time

 

The world was first introduced to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's daughter on Saturday in arresting images of the two inspecting the launch of the nation's biggest ballistic missile the day before.

State news agency KCNA stated on Saturday that North Korea tested a Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Friday.

The biggest shock, though, was the presence of Kim's daughter, whose existence had never before been made known to the general public.

The girl, who can be seen in photos holding hands with her father and wearing a white puffy coat as they observe the enormous missile, was unidentified by KCNA.

Kim Jong Un's daughter was present at this event for the first time, according to Michael Madden, a North Korea leadership expert at the Stimson Center in the United States. It is extremely significant and shows that Kim Jong Un is at least somewhat at ease for him to bring her out in public in this way.

According to specialists, Kim might be the mother of two girls and a boy. Some viewers thought they saw one of the kids on a video of a national holiday celebration in September.

Dennis Rodman, a retired American basketball player, said in 2013 that Kim had a daughter named Ju Ae. Rodman told The Guardian newspaper that year that he had visited North Korea and met Kim and his family, as well as held the infant.

According to Madden, Ju Ae is currently believed to be between the ages of 12 and 13, which means that in four to five years she will be preparing to either enter the military or attend college. 

"This would indicate that she will be educated and trained to go into leadership — it could be preparing for her to assume the central leader's position or she could become an adviser and behind-the-scenes player like her aunt," he said.

Given the lack of information regarding Kim's young children and the fact that North Korea has never stated who would succeed him in the event of his incapacitation, observers had hypothesised that his sister and supporters would act as a regency until a successor is old enough to ascend the throne.

The leader's daughter attending this gathering might indicate a fourth generation hereditary succession, and the core North Korean elites should be ready for that possibility, Madden said.

According to KCNA, Ri Sol Ju, Kim's wife, also made a rare appearance at the unveiling on Friday 

"There is purposeful message at play whenever Ri Sol Ju makes an appearance. Typically intended to ease tensions, counter other aggressive messaging (like tests), or demonstrate the cohesion of the Kim family during times of internal strife, "said Ken Gause, a North Korea leadership specialist with CNA, a non-profit research organisation with headquarters in the US.